Medicine carrier and measurer.



No; 635,963. Patented Oct. 3|, I899. L. HOAGE 8:. A. NYVALL. MEDICINECARRIER AND MEASURER.

(Application filed Apr. 27, 1899.) (no Modell) I UNITED STATES PATENTOFFIC.

LEON I-IOAGE AND ALBERT NYVALL, OF NEYV YORK, N. Y.

MEDICINE CARRIER AND MEASURER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,963, dated October31, 1899.

Application filed April 27, 1899. Serial No. 714,645. (No model.)

To a whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, LEON HOAGE and AL- BERT NYvALL, citizens of theUnited States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn,county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Medicine Carriers and Measurers, of which thefollowing is a specification.

Our invention relates to various improvements in medicine carriers andmeasnrers.

The object of our invention is to provide a device of this characterwhich is simple, cheap, and neat and wherein doses of absolutelyaccurate proportions may be measured and consumed, the operation beingentirely automatic and being performed easily and quickly.

Our invention is based upon the balancing and overbalancing ofhydrostatic columns, and by the correct utilization of well-knownphysical laws we are enabled to divide a liquid into two parts, one ofwhich is the desired dose or any other quantity, and to maintain suchparts in their separated condition while the dose or other quantity isremoved.

Broadly stated, our invention comprises a suitable receptacle dividedinto at least two portions, but capable of division into a largernumber, and a partition or diaphragm between each two portions, providedwith one or more openings or passages therein, so arranged as to permita fluid to pass readily from one portion into another, but to preventthe return of the liquid so separated. The size of the opening oropenings in the diaphragm is of such character as to prevent the passageof the liquid from one chamber to the other when the receptacle isinclined in a predetermined position, but admitting of the ready passagethereof when inclined in another predetermined position, thus securingto the operator a full and perfect control'over the passage of theliquid from one chamber to the other. One of the'portions into which thereceptacle is divided may be of the capacity of a dose or of severaldoses, in which case it will be suitably calibrated to indicate doses orany desired quantities of liquid measurement, and the other portion maybe of a larger capacity to contain a sufficient bulk of the liquid forthe desired purpose.

Since our device is designed particularly for use by persons who may berequired to take liquid medicines at times and under conditions wherethe employment of a spoon with ordinary bottles would be inexpedient orimpossible, we can very conveniently provide the larger portion orchamber of a capacity of, say, three doses and the smaller portion of,say, one dose. When of this size, the entire device will be of a veryneat appearance and sufficiently portable as to be carried in thevest-pocket. We give these dimensions merely as an illustration of agood embodiment of our invention; but it will be understood, of course,that the sizes and proportions may be widely varied to meet the uses towhich it may be applied. The character, arrangement, and location of theopening or openings or passage or passages in the partition or diaphragmmay also be varied without affecting the general operation of thedevice. For example, a single slot may be formed in the partition of asufiicient width to permit the free flow of the liquid when such flow isdesired, and narrow enough to allow the cohesion of the liquid toprevent its return when the liquid above the slot is disposed in acolumn of substantially uniform height throughout, or, in other words,when the atmospheric pressure beneath the slot sustains a uniformopposing stress throughout the entire area of the slot; or instead thepartition may be provided with two openings, approximately diametricallyopposed and of the proper size, or with a plurality of such openingsarranged diametrically, or with three openings arranged triangularly.Many other arrangements may be conveniently used. In every instance thesize of the one or more passages or openings will be properlyproportioned to prevent the return of the separated quantity of liquid,it being noted that the viscosity of the liquid largely determines thisfactor, very viscid fluids requiring larger passages than less viscidfluids.

The operation of the device and the general theory upon which it isbased will-be fully pointed out hereinafter.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents in perspective an embodiment, butnot an effective one, of our invention, showing the diaphragm providedwith three passages; Fig. 2, a similar view of an effective embodimentof the invention, showing a single slot; Fig. 3, a similar view showingan equally-eitective form, the diaphragm having a series ofdiametricallyplaced passages; Fig. 4, a similar view showing athree-compartment receptacle for use with liquids of differentviscosities; Figs. 5, 6, and 7, similar views showing the operation ofour device.

In all the above views corresponding parts are represented by the samenumerals of reference.

In each instance the receptacle is illustrated as being formed of glassand of a cylindrical form, Fig. 4c showing a tubularbottle and theremaining figures an ordinary medicine-vial. Any other form or characterof receptacle or material therefor may be employed. In Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5,6, and 7 the receptacle is divided into two portions 1 and 2 by apartition or diaphragm 3. The latter is made of any suitable material,preferably elastic and relatively tasteless, such as cork or rubber. Itmay be held in place by friction or by a suitable adhesive or cementingsubstance or by being forced into a groove at, Fig. 2, blown orotherwise formed in the walls of the receptacle. The bottom of thechamber 1 is closed and the chamber 2 is provided with a cork or closure5. The chamber 1 contains a desired bulk of the fluid, and the chamber 2receives successively the portions which are to be removed. The lattermay be of a capacity of a dose or other desired q uantity, and it may besuitably calibrated, Fig. 2, to represent different denominations inliquid measurement. The partition or diaphragm 3 is provided with one ormore passages therein to permit the free flow of the liquid from thechamber 1 into the dose-chamber 2 when desired, but to prevent thereturn of the portion so separated unless specially effected. In Fig. 1the partition is provided with three passages 6 6 (5, disposed in atriangular form. In Figs. 2, 5, G, and '7 a single diametric slot 7 isused, and in Fig. 3 a series of openings 8 diametrically arranged. InFig. 4 the receptacle is provided with a single chamber 1 and twodosechambers 2 and 2, each having a cork or closure 5 or 5. Twodiaphragms 3 and 3 are used, each being shown as having two passages 9 9or 9 9, the former being larger than the latter, for the reason to beexplained.

The operation of the device shown in Fig. 2 is made entirely clear inFigs. 5, (3, and 7. The device being held in the position shown in Fig.5, with the slot vertical, liquid may be poured in and enters thechamber 1 through the slot. The air within the chamber 1 escapes throughthe upper portion of the slot above the liquid. \Vhen the receptacle isentirely filled, the quantity in the chamber 2 represents the first doseor other quantity. This may be removed from the chamber 2 by holding theslot in a horizontal position, Fig. 6, whereby the hydrostatic pressureon the liquid in the chamber 1 being balanced no liquid will flow out ofsaid chamber. Then a further quantity is to be removed, the receptacleis tilted, with the slot vertical, as shown in Fig. 5, to overbalaneethe hydrostatic pressure or, in other words, to cause the height of thecolumn at the bottom of the slot to be greater than that at the top, andhence liquid will again fiow through the slot into the chamber 2, theair thus displaced from said chamber passing through the slotinto thechamber 1. inverted, Fig. 7, the chamber 2 will be thus entirely full.By now returning the receptacle to its original position, Fig. 2, theliquid above the diaphragm will not flow back, since the air-pressure isequal upon all portions thereof coincident with the slot. In removingthe dose the cork 5 is removed and the dose poured out, the slot beingkept horizontal, Fig. 6. Obviously the operation of the device shown inFig. 3 is the same as that just described, the series of openings beingthe same to all purposes as the slot. With the arrangement shown in Fig.1 the operation is less perfect. In passing the liquid from the chamber1 it flows through one or two of the openings G,air passing back throughthe other opening or openings until the chan1- ber 2 is entirely filled.By now quickly in verting the receptacle the quantity within the chamber2 will be retained therein, since the height of the column above each ofthe openings 6 will be uniform and the hydrostatic pressure will be inbalance. It the cork 5 were now removed and the dose were slowly pouredout, the balance would be overcome and more or less of the fluid wouldreturn to the compartment 1. Vith this form of device, therefore, it isnecessary to very quickly pour out the dose, and hence it is not soeffective as the other forms of our invention already described, wherethe passages are so disposed as to maintain thehydrostatic balance inany angle to which the receptacle may be tilted, provided the slots oropenings are maintained horizontal, as explained.

In Fig. 2 the dose-chamber is shown as having a suitably-graduated scalewhich may be conveniently employed. \Vhen so used, the intention is togive to the dose-chamber the capacity of a maximum dosesay atablespoonfuland to indicate by the calibration lesseramounts-such asadessertspoonful and a teaspoonful, respectively. In this way the usermay allow the dose-chamber to fill up to any desired extent and to thussecure doses of varying quantities. With this arrangement it will beobserved that if too much liquid has flowed into the chamber 2 for thepurpose the surplus may be allowed to return to the chamber 1 bybringing the slot into its vertical position and by then tilting thereceptacle toward the horizontal, Fig. 5.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 4 may be used, if desired, and itpossesses the advantage that non-viscid or viscid liquids maybe lVhenthe receptacle ismeasured. When very viscid liquids are employed, suchas heavy cough-syrups, the receptacle is filled by removing the cork 5,the openings in the partition 3 being too small to permit the passage ofthe liquid, which therefore fills only the chambers 1 and 2. Whennon-viscid liquids are used, they are poured in through the other endand fill all three chambers 1, 2, and 2. The operation need not bereferred to in detail, as it is identical with that already described.The liquid is permitted to flow from the chamberl into the dose-chamber2 or 2 by maintaining the openings 9 9 or 9 9 in vertical relation, theliquid passing through the lower opening and air through the upper. Whenthe dose-chamber is filled, the openings are maintained horizontal tobalance the hydrostatic pressure, whereby the dose may be poured out asslowly as may be desired without any liquid returning to the chamber 1or passing out of that chamber. The construction of device shown in Fig,4 illustrates the instructions we have already given-i. (2., that thesize or capacity of the passage or passages in the diaphragm orpartition depends almost entirely upon the viscosity of the liquids andin the individual cases can be best determined by experiment. Thus witha device such as we show in Fig. 4 the openings 9 9 may be too small topermit the passage of very viscid fluids, while the openings 9 9 may betoo large to prevent the return of very thin liquids.

Having now described our invention, what We claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As a new article of manufacture, a medicine carrier and measurercomprising a receptacle divided into a plurality of chambers,and adiaphragm between said chambers, said diaphragm being so perforated asto allow a liquid, when the receptacle is inclined in a predeterminedposition, to flow readily from ,one chamber to the other, and thereverse flow of air, and not permitting such flow to occur when thereceptacle is in another inclined position, owing to an equalization ofhydrostatic pressure, substantially as set forth.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a medicine carrier andmeasurer,comprising a receptacle divided into aplural-ity ofchambers,and

a diaphragm between two of said chambers and perforated in or upon adiameter of said diaphragm, whereby, by maintaining such diameter in avertical disposition, a flow of liquid and, reversely, of air from onechamber to the other may take place, and by maintaining such diameter ina horizontal position an equalization of hydrostatic pressure issocured, substantially as set forth.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a medicine carrier andmeasurer,comprising a receptacle divided into a plurality of chambers,one of said chambers being calibrated, anda diaphragm between two ofsaid chambers and perforated in or upon a diameter of said diaphragm,whereby, by maintaining such diameter in a vertical disposition, a flowof liquid and, reversely, of air from one chamber to the other may takeplace, and by maintaining such diameter in a horizontal position anequalization of hydrostatic pressure is se cured, substantially as setforth.

4. As anew article of manufacture,- a medicine carrier and measurer,comprising a recep= tacle divided into three chambers, two diaphragmsseparating the central chamber from each end chamber, said diaphragmsbeing perforated in or upon a diameter thereof, and the area ofperforation of one being greater than that of the other, substantiallyas set forth.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a medicine carrier and measurer,comprising a receptacle divided into a plurality of chambers, saidreceptacle having a groove formed in its walls and a diaphragm betweentwo of said chambers, engaging said groove, and perforated in or upon adiameter of said diaphragm, whereby, by maintaining such diameter in avertical position, a flow of liquid and, reversely, of air from onechamber to the other in a horizontal position an equalization ofhydrostatic pressure is secured, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 25th day of April, 1899.

LEON HOAGE.

ALBERT NYVALL. Witnesses:

JNo. R. TAYLOR, FRANK L. DYER.

